Buffing-machine.



PATENTED MAY 29, 1906.

A. W. ROGERS.

BUFFING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.4,1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

No. 822,154. PATENTED MAY 29, 1906.

A. W. ROGEBfi.

BUPFING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.4,1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

FIRE-L M//77VE.5'SES'- No. 822,154. PATENTED MAY 29, 1906.

A. W. ROGERS.

BUFPING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN,4,1904.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

MTA/[SSESZ breast ofthe heel.

UNTTED STATES. PATENT OFTGE.

ANDREW W. ROGERS, OF BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO SIDNEY W. WINSLOW, TRUSTEE, OF BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS.

.UFFlNG-MACHHNE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 29, 1906.

To (LIZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ANDREW W. ROGERS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Beverly, in the county of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Buffing-Machines, of which'the following description, in connection wit-h'the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like reference characters on the drawings indicating like parts in the several figures.

This invention relates to machines or devices for buffing and cleaning the bottoms of boots and shoes.

It is customary to buff the entire bottom of a shoe for removing the grain from the leather and forming a nap on its surface which gives the shoe-bottom a velvety alppearance. The fore part of the shoeand t e tread of the heel are generally buffed on a cylindrical roll havin a coarse sandpaper covering, which rapid y removes the grain and forms the nap on the leather. Owing to its shape, however, a roll cannot be used in the angle formed by the shank and the For this reason it is the practice to buff the rear part of the shank at a separate operation by means of an abrading device or pad secured to the end of a r0- tary spindle, the pad being provided with an abrasive covering of sandpa er or .emerycloth, the working face of which is substantially perpendicular to its axis of rotation.

One important object of the resent inven tion is to provide an improve abrading device which may be used for buffing both the fore part and the shank of shoe and which is especially adapted for buffing the rear part of the shank in the angle made by the shank and the breast of the heel.

To this end one feature of the present invention consists in providing a holder and an abrading device comprising a plurality of pieces of abrasive materialof different sizes and arranged in layers with the smaller pieces superposed on the larger ones. Such an abrading device will present a thin edge at all times-which adapts the device for use in buffing the shank of a shoe in the angle formed with the breast of the heel without the edges of those layers above the actin one coming into contact with the breast o the heel and scratching it or becoming worn or frayed. Preferably, also, the layers of the abrading device will be connected together near their centers in such manner as to be restrained from relative radial or rotative movement as a whole while being free and unconnected except near their centers. This permits the edge ortion of the abrading device to bend easi y,and adapt itself to the conformation of the surface of the work which is pressed against it. This device can be continuously used without any stopping of the machine While successive layers are being worn out, when the entire abrading device will be removed and a new one substituted. This saves the'waste of time occasioned by the old ractice of using a single abrasive covering, w ich soon wore away and had to be, renewed, necessitating the sto ping of the machine and loss of the wor mans time, not only. while he was removing a worn-out covering and putting on a new one, but also while he was waitlng for the machine to stop before he could remove the old covering and while he was Waiting for the machine to get u speed after the new covering had been app ied.

Other features of the invention, including certain details of construction and combinations of parts, Will be explained in the following description and pointed'out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figurel is a side elevation of a buffing-machine embodying the present invention. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section of the u per portion of the machine on the dotted inc 2 2 of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a front view of the upper portion of themachine. Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the dotted line 4 4 of Fi 3. .Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the hol or provided wit a' ad or support for the improved abrading evicel Fig. 6 is an edge view, on a larger scale and partly in section, of'a preferred form of the lmproved abrading device of the present invention. Fig. 7 is a sectional View showing a modified form of means for securing the abrading device in working position. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a modified form of abra ing device. Fig. 9 is a view illustrating'the operation of the improved abrading device in buffing the portion of the shank next to the breast of the heel.

The machine com rises a standard 1, resting on the floor an having at its rear side posts to support the bearings 2 of a driving-shaft 4, provided with pulleys by which ICC I .end wi the several parts of the machine are operated. The driving-shaft is provided also with fast and loose pulle s to receive a belt (not shown) by means of w 'ch the shaft is driven from a suitable source of power.

The pulley 6 receives a belt 12, which after passing over idlers 14 (one only of which is shown in Fig. 1) extends around a pulley 16 on a spindle 20. The spindle 20 is supported 'in a bracket 22, havin a stem 24 pro ectin from its rear side and adjustably clampe in position in the machine-frame by a bolt 26. The bracket 22 is provided with arms, to

which are secured, by means of cap-plates 36 38, the sleeves 32 and 34, which constitute bearings for the s indle 20. The sleeves have convex portions by means of which they are .held from longitudinal movement in the bracket, as shown in Fig. 2. The ulley 16 for thespindle is formed .as a part ofa sleeve which surrounds the spindle and is secured to it. and by abutting against the sleeves 32 and 34 prevents lon itudinal movement of the spindle in said s eeves. The s indle is also provided with a second ulley ocated below the" pulley 16 and, as s own, formed upon thesame sleeve as the pulley 16 The tsfpindle 20 is provided near its lower .a flange 40, which engagesa flange 42 of a clamping-nut 44. Theclamping-nut 44 is adapted to screw upon the upper end of a threaded sleeve 46, provided at its lower end with a flange 48 to receive the up er wall .ofa hollow flexible pad 50. The s eeve is provided with a longitudinal slot .52 to receivea stud 54, projecting laterally from the spindle 20, whereby the sleeve is compelled to rotate with the spindle, all as shown in Fig. 2. A washer or clamping-plate 56 is loosely supported upon the sleeve 46 and is arranged .to bear upon the folded-over edge or attaching ortion of an abrasive covering 58, so as to 0 am said coveringand the upper wall of .thehol ow pad against the flange 48. The clamping-plate is forced down to secure the pad andabrasive covering in position by a ...nut 60, working upon the screw-threaded sleeve. By this means the hollow flexible pad is secured to the sleeve in a manner to and yielding .ering which constitutes t e worki 5 5 -itself perfectly to the shape of'the different .,parts of the shoe-bottom presented to it.

prevent, the. escape of the air with which the ad is ke t filled. The'air is maintained uner suita le pressure for distending the pad y supportin the abrasive covthe ad. "This provides a device aving a yiel' ing Working. surface which will adapt Forsupplying the. hollow pad with air under pressure the spindle 20 is provided with an air-passage 62, w 'ch communicates through an air-passage in the bracket 22 with a cham- ,ber 70. The bracket is provided at, the upper. end'of the spindle 20 with a stuffing-box, whichcomprises a packing 64, held in place face of bya clamp 66 and screws 68. Air is forced a cylinder 72. The pump may be of any usual or suitable constructlon and is operated through a pitman 76, connected with a crank 78 on a shaft 80. The shaft 80 is provided with a pulley 82, which is connected by a belt 84 witha pulley (not shown) on the main driving-shaft 4. The air-chamber is provided with a safety-valve, the cap 86 of which may be adjusted to regulate the pressure of the air in the chamber and in the pad.-

The pulley 94 on the s indle 20 is connected bya belt 96 with a pu ley 98, fast on a secv ond spindle 100. The spindle 100 is supported by a bracket 102, 'w 'ch is secured to the machine-head and provided with arms in which are mounted sleeves 108 1 10, constitutingbearings for the spindle. The spindle has a flan e 1 12, which is engaged by a flange 116 in a t eaded clamping-nut 114, adapted to screw upon the upper end of a threaded sleeve 120. The sleeve 120 is provided at its lower end with a wide flan e 128 and has a longitudinal slot 122 to recelvea stud 124 on the spindle 100, whereby it is compelled to rotate with the s indle. The sleeve and flange constitute a older adapted to receive any suitableform of work member, but preferablywill be provided with a pad or disk 132, of leather or other suitable'flexible or yielding material, for supporting the improved abradin device hereinafter described. The pac i or $11 port may be secured to the flange of the hol er by screws 133, as shown in F1 5.

The spindle 100 is provided with a loose pulley 140, adjacent to the fast pulley 98, above mentioned. The loose pulley preferably is smaller than the fast pulley, and the flange 142 on that side of the fast pulley adj acent to the loose one is reduced in size, so as to permit the belt to be shifted easily by the workman over upon the loose pulle by merelypressing down on the belt wit his finger or with some tool kept for. the purey is facilitated by the low flange of-the fast ulleydand also by the smaller size of the oose pulley, whereby the belt is caused to hug the fast pulley as it is moved over upon pose. The return of the belt to the fast pulit. This arrangement for disconnecting the belt from the spindle 100 permits the said s indle to be easily and quickly stopped inependently of the other mechanisms of-the machme.

The provision'of means whereby the spindle 100-may be disconnected from the spindle 20 is of material advantage because the spindle 20 can be stop ed only b stopping the driving-shaft and ail arts oft e machine operated by it, and as t ese moving parts have a considerable momentum it takes some time for them to come to rest. The spindle 100, however, is 'lightand quickly comes to rest when the belt 96 is shifted over upon the loose pulley. It saves the workman muchv time to be able to disconnect the. s indle 100 from its driver and so stop it quickly for removing a worn-out abrading device and applying a new one instead of having to disconnect the whole machine from its driving means and wait for the machine to come to rest. 7

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the abrading device used'on'the spindle 100, in connection with the pad or support 132, above described, comprises a dplurality of substantially circular pieces or isks 151 of sheet material, each having an &bI&SiV6 S11I face on one side. The dISkS are arranged concentrically in layers with the sides having the abrasive surface lowermost and are secured to the holder by a pinor bolt 152, passing centrally throu h the device and held in place in any suitab%e manner'such, for instance, as by extending throu h the holder and spindleand havin screw-t eaded en agement with a nut 15 as shown. An abrading device of this'construction can be used continuously while the several layers are being used, for as soon as one layer is worn throu h the fresh abrasive surface of the next ayer is exposed to use, and this con tinues until the last layer has been used.

Preferably the pieces of which the abrading device is built up will be of varying'sizes and will be arranged with each of the smaller pieces on top of a larger one, so that it comprises a plurality of Sn erposed layers of diminishing diameter. T is provides an abrading device having a thin ed e or periphery adapted to enter and thorou Iily buff out the angle formed by the'breast o the heel and the rear end of the shank. This construction also has the advanta e that when the work is pressed against the ace of the abrading device and bends it slightly, as shown in Fig. 9, the layers above the lowermost or acting one will not project beyond the periphery of the acting layer and scratch the breast of the heel or become frayed.

' port for the last layer of abrasive material while it is being used and protects the pad or support 132 from injury in case the abrading device is used after t e lastlayer 1s Worn through. The support 132 may be omitted, if dgsired, and the pasteboard packing alone use The support 132- when used must be flexible enough to permit the pad to be bent by ressure of the work against it, and preferably it will be slightly smaller than the smallest of the layers of the abrading device, so as to support the device to within a short distance of its edge when the last layers are being used.

Preferably, although not necessarily, the abrading device will be formed with the marginal portion slightly upturned or convexed, as shown, so that when the work is first presented to a new abrading device the edge will not-tend to form scratches, as sometimes oc curs if the work is carelessly presented to a perfectly flat abrading device. The abrading device may be shaped conveniently by moldin it after the several disks have been assemb ed and, if desired, may be made convex throughout.

It is desirable, although not essential, to provide auxiliary means, in addition to the bolt 152, for securing the abrading device in position and for supporting the pieces of abrading material as near to their peripheries as is practicable. The flange 128 of the holder and the support 132 are .provided, therefore, with alined holes 160, (see Fig. 5,) preferably located at diametrically opposite points, and the abrading device is provided with holes 162 so located that they may be positioned in alinement with the holes 160. The pin or bolt 152 is provided with one or more arms 164, the arms having upturned pron s 166 for entering the holes in the abra ing device, support, and holder. These arms and prongs engage the abrading device at either side 0 the center thereof and insure against an relative rotative movement taking place etween said parts and also add very much to the effectiveness of the abrading device by affording for the .layers of material a sup ort which is located between the center an the periphery of the device. This arrangement 1s very advantageous because each piece of abrasive material is supported near the portion which receives the wear, and thereby is prevented from twisting and turning and is held up to the work much better than it would be if it were supported at its center only and also because each piece of abrasive material affords su port to those above and below it. In additlon to the tendency of the roughened surface of one layer to rip or sink into the smooth surface of the a er next below it there is a further importanta vantage arising from the fact that my improved device is preferably continuously used until all the ieces of abrasive material are worn out, an conse uently the central portions which are held i)y the prongs 15 6 remain after they have been wonn out in po sition to support the upper'layers. In Fig. 7 is illustrated a modified form of means for securing the abrading device in place which also affords the advantages just referred to. In this construction the lower end of the spin dle 100 has a screw-threaded aperture to receive a screw-bolt which passes through a plate'or washer 155. The plate 155 is provided with arms 156 to extend through the holes in the abrading device, the support, and the holder. The abrading device preferably will be provided during the course of its manufacture with-means, such as an eyelet the several disk or'layers in assembled position.

159 in the central opening, for securin The layers might, however, be secured by eyelets in the holes 162, as shown in Fig. 8, if

desired, or they might be'connected by an other suitable means. It will be understoo however, that the peripheries of the several 7 ceives a belt 176, extending from a shaft 180, also mounted in bearings 1n the standard 1.

The standard is formed with an open space to receive a fan 182, mounted on the shaft 180. The standard also supports the forwardlyprojeoting flues 184', extending from the fanchamber and the open ends of which are located adjacent to the bufling and cleaning .devices. Another flue 186 partially incloses the brush 172. The shaft 180 is rotated by a belt 188 from a pulley 10 onthe driving-shaft in a direction to cause the fan to suck the dust from the several work members in through the fines and to force it out through walk from one an exhaust-opening 190, which communicates with a dust-collector or with the openair.

In the use of the machine the workman will hold a shoe in his hands and present it first to the abrading device 150 on the s indle 100 for bufiing the shank, or it may e the whole bottom of the shoe. He then will resent the shoe to the cleaning-pad 50, w ich removes all scratches or marks and rubs up the nap to roduce a velvety surface on the leather. T e workman will present the shoe next to the brush 172 for removing the dust from the sides and bottom of the shoe.

is all done with one handling of the shoe, and

This

the bufling and cleaning members and the brush are so arranged that the workman may resent the shoe to each of these work memers in succession without being obliged to art of the machine to another. When t e abrading device becomes unfit for further use, the workman may shift a the belt 96.from the fast pulley 98 to the mediately-after the fast pulley; The workman will then remove- .with a fresh one.

loose pulley 140 b pressin down on the belt with a light touch of his Engeror with any convenient instrument. The lower flange 142 on the fast pulley facilitates the shifting of the belt and the s indle comes to rest imelt is shifted from the the worn-out abrading device and replace it Thebelt 96 may then be above it.

shifted tothe fast-pulle. and-the machine is again ready for use. .1 e shifting of the belt from the loose to thefast pulley is very easily accomplished by reason ofthe fast pulley being somewhat larger than the loose-pulley, so that the moving belt is caused to hug the fast 1 pulley as it .is moved over uponthe low rim at the lowerside of. said pulley.

If desired, the spindle 100 may be stop ed whenever a layer ofwabra'sive material ecomes worn and that layertorn off toexpose the freshabrasivesurface of the next layer.

Preferably,- however, the abrasive device will be used continuously, whilethe successive layers of abrasive material are being worn out, each .la 'er at it wears through uncovering for use t e fresh surface of thenext layer This will be done without stopping the spindle until allthe layers ofabrasive materialhave been worn away and the device is unfit for further use.

.B the term abradingdevice as herein emp oyed I mean to include a device .of'the character described adapted for buffing,

cleaning, or polishing, or any similarwork.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to-secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. The-combinationwith a holder formed with a plurality of holes, of an abrading-- device comprising a plurality of pieces of abra .sive material arranged in layers and having correspondin holes, and means extending through the oles for securing thedevice in position on the holder. I

2. The combination withaholder and an abradin device comprising a, plurality of pieces 0 abrasive material arranged in layers, of means for securing said device to the holder, and additional securing means for en tering the abrasivematerial.

3. The combination with a sup ort of nonabrasive material, of an 'abra ing device comprising a pluralityoflpiece's of abrasive material of varying diameters arranged in layers with the smallest layer next to the sup ort, said support bein of a diameter slig tl less than the sai smallest layer where r to support said layer from its center to within ashort distance of its edge.

4. The combination with a holder and an abrading device, of a securingdevice comprising av stem extending centrallythrough the abrading device and into the holderand providedwith .arms having prongs to engage the abrading device and holder at two or more points to prevent relative .rotative movement of said parts.

I 5. The combination with a rotary holder and an abrading device, of-a securing device comprising a stem extendin through the abradin device and provide with an arm arrange to engage said device eccentrically,

and means for-securing the stem in position in the holder.

IIO

largest in the outer layer to the smallest in the inner layer, with means for su orting and actuating said device, the com mation being arranged to permit continuous use of said abrading device while successive layers of the abrasive material are being Worn out. 8. As a new article of manufacture, an abradin device comprising a plurality of pieces material, each having an abrasive surface, said ieces being of circular form and being place in layers with their abrasive surfaces on the same side, and also being secured together.

9. As a new article of manufacture, an abradin device comprising a plurality of pieces. 0 material, each having an abrasive surface, said pieces being of circular form and being arranged in concentriclayers with their abrasive surfaces all onthe same side, said 7 device having provision for securing the pleces together at two or more points to revent relative rotative movement thereo 10. As a new article of manufacture, an

abrading device comprising a plurality of circular pieces of abrasive material, said pieces being of va 'ng diameters and being placed in concentric layers, and also being secured together at two or more oints.

11. As a new article of man acture, an

abrading device comprising a pluralityof layers of flexible abrasive material secured together, the marginal portions of said layers of material being free to move relatively.

12 A device of the class described, comprising a plurality of superposed pieces of abrasive material arranged in layers of di mimshing s1ze with their abrasive surfaces on the same side.

13. An abrading device com rising a rality of superposed layers of exiblea r'asive material, the marginal portions of the 7,

layers of material being disconnected to permit said ortions to move relatively, said superposed layers being of diminishing size whereby the up er layers will not pro'ect beyond the penp eryof the lowest one w en the device is bent upwardly.

. 14. As a newartlcle of manufacture, an

abrading device comprising a pluralit of pieces of abrasive material of circular orm and of varying diameters, said device pre-' 'sentlng a convex abrasive surface near its edge. e 15. abrading device comprising a pluralit of pieces of abrasive material of circular orm and of varying diameters and a backing of non-abrasive material secured thereto.

16. As a new article of manufacture, an abrading device comprismg a plurality, of pomts.

In testimony'whereof I have signedmy name to this specification in the presence of I As a new article of manufacture, an

plurality of v circular pieces of abrasive material arranged 1n concentric layers and secured together at a a A W. ROGERS; y 1 

